Bijou Phillips: 'Music makes your soul feel amazing while you're performing it.'

Music makes your soul feel amazing while you're performing it.

Music has always had a profound impact on our emotions and overall well-being. In a simple and straightforward way, Bijou Phillips captures the transformative power of music in her statement, 'Music makes your soul feel amazing while you're performing it.' This quote emphasizes the unique and indescribable sensation one experiences while engaging in the act of creating music. It highlights the deep connection between the performer and their art form, where music becomes an extension of the soul, bringing profound joy and fulfillment. However, let us dive deeper into this concept by introducing an unexpected philosophical perspective - the concept of existentialism.Existentialism, a philosophical concept popularized in the 19th and 20th centuries by thinkers like Søren Kierkegaard, Jean-Paul Sartre, and Albert Camus, explores the individual's search for meaning and the subjective nature of existence. At first glance, existentialism may seem far removed from the world of music. After all, how can a philosophical theory focused on the absurdity and meaninglessness of life relate to the uplifting experience of performing music?Yet, when we dig deeper, we find that existentialism and the joy of music converge on a fundamental level. Existentialism, despite its focus on the absurd, encourages individuals to create their own subjective meaning in life. It emphasizes the importance of personal experiences, choices, and passions. When we apply this lens to Phillips' quote, we can see that music, as an art form, holds the potential to create meaning and provide a sense of purpose for the performer.When an artist immerses themselves in music, they tap into their individuality, expressing their emotions, thoughts, and experiences in a unique way. They become the author of their own narrative, crafting their identity through their art. In this sense, existentialism and the joy of music intertwine, as the act of performing music becomes a vehicle for self-expression, personal growth, and the exploration of one's inner being.Moreover, in the act of performing music, artists often encounter a sense of flow - that state of complete absorption where time seems to dissolve, and one becomes fully immersed in the present moment. Flow has been studied extensively by psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, who describes it as a state of optimal experience, wherein the individual's skills perfectly match the challenges they face.When an artist experiences flow while performing music, they enter a state of transcendence, where they lose themselves in the art form. It is in these moments that the boundaries between the self and the music blur, and the performer becomes one with the sounds they produce. This union of self and music creates a profound connection, allowing the artist to tap into their soul, as Bijou Phillips suggests.Furthermore, music possesses the remarkable ability to evoke an array of emotions, transporting both the performer and the audience to different emotional realms. It can elicit joy, sadness, nostalgia, or even catharsis. In the act of performing music, the artist becomes a vessel through which emotions flow, channeling them into their art. By connecting with the emotions inherent in the music, performers are able to bring out their own soul's yearnings, giving birth to a deeply fulfilling experience.In conclusion, Bijou Phillips' quote, 'Music makes your soul feel amazing while you're performing it,' captures the profound impact of music on the performer's emotional and existential experience. By examining this statement through the lens of existential philosophy, we discover the inherent connection between music and the search for meaning. Music becomes a vehicle for self-expression, personal growth, and the exploration of one's inner being. It provides an opportunity for performers to experience flow, a state of complete absorption and transcendence. Moreover, it allows artists to tap into a vast range of emotions, creating a deeply fulfilling experience that resonates with their soul. So, the next time you find yourself captivated by the magic of music, remember that it has the power to touch your soul and make your existence feel truly amazing.